Governor Jack Markell's Weekly Message
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In his weekly message, Gov. Jack Markell continued to offer details on the Downtown Development Districts program that he unveiled on Wednesday.
The plan, which Markell first proposed in his January State of the State address, would set aside $7 million for grants to towns and cities that apply to have areas in their downtowns designated as development districts.
During the first year of implementation, the program would fund between one and three districts, with one required in each county. In successive years, the program could support up to 15 districts, depending on available funding.
Markell says that given the financial challenges facing Delaware cities and towns, it is more important than ever to support their downtowns.
“In these designated areas it will be more affordable to pursue residential, commercial, and industrial development,” said Markell. "Well focus historic preservation tax credits there and other state agencies will prioritize projects for the selected districts. Downtown Development Districts will signify to residents, to developers, to investors, and others that we are committed to our downtown's future."
Markell adds that the grants would provide for-profit or non-profit investors with up to 20 percent of construction costs and that the plan is flexible enough to allow private capital to make each city’s approach to downtown revitalization unique.
Full text of Governor Jack Markell’s weekly message
The opportunities available to Delawareans depend in large part upon whether our cities are safe and vibrant. Not only does our economic future depend on it, but when neighborhoods are cleared of vacant houses and more people live and work in our cities, they are safer for everyone.
With cities across the country experiencing a surge of growth, we must take this opportunity to renovate abandoned property, attract new residents and businesses, and reinvigorate our downtowns.
In Delaware, we’ve seen the potential for revitalization: The Queen Theater in Wilmington lay dormant as a cultural center for half a century before it was brought back to life. Here in Dover at the Schwartz Center for the Arts there is a similar story of renewal. And we have great assets in Sussex County, like the beautiful main street in Bridgeville with century-old mansions.
But given the financial challenges facing our cities and towns, we need to work together to meet our potential. That’s why I visited all of these towns this week – to unveil a proposal to create Downtown Development Districts in every county. In these designated areas it will be more affordable to pursue residential, commercial, and industrial development. We will focus historic preservation tax credits there and other state agencies will prioritize projects for the selected districts. Downtown Development Districts will signify to residents, developers, investors, and others that we are committed to our downtowns’ future.
As noted author Jane Jacobs wrote: “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” Working together, we will ensure our downtowns provide something for everybody who is touched by them and we'll keep Delaware moving forward.